EBS STAFF
The Aerial Firefighting Enhancement Act, sponsored by U.S. Sens. Tim Sheehy (R-Montana) and Martin Heinrich (D-New Mexico), passed the House of Representatives on June 3, and now awaits signature from President Donald Trump.
Sheehy and proponents celebrated the bill’s passage in a June 3 press release, stating it received bipartisan support—sponsors included Democrat senators from New Mexico, Arizona, California and Georgia, and Republican senators from Oklahoma and Idaho—and that the bill would “[strengthen] the wildfire suppression fleet and [ensure] the United States can better combat the year-round threat of catastrophic wildfire.”
The bill amends the Wildfire Suppression Aircraft Transfer Act of 1996 to reauthorize the sale of aircraft and parts by the U.S. Department of Defense for wildfire suppression. The bill aims to enable better year-round suppression of wildfires by facilitating the acquisition of military excess aircraft, according to the release.
“This year is the most dangerous and expensive wildfire year in history, and the Aerial Firefighting Enhancement Act will give wildland firefighters the tools they need to protect communities and save lives,” Sheehy stated in the release. “Eliminating bureaucratic obstacles to fight wildfires more quickly and aggressively is America First common sense, and I appreciate my colleagues in the House and Senate for their support. I look forward to seeing this bipartisan bill cross the finish line so we can better support the brave first responders on the front lines fighting wildfires across the country.”
Sen. Heinrich added he’s pleased to see the act on its way to the White House.
“I urge the president to immediately sign the Aerial Firefighting Enhancement Act, which is urgently needed to expand the operations of Very Large Air Tankers that have proven absolutely essential to firefighters battling large wildfires in New Mexico and across the West. I will never stop fighting to deliver the resources that our communities need to effectively respond to wildfires,” Heinrich stated.
The release included statements of support from business leaders representing 10 Tanker Air Carrier, Billings Flying Service and Firehawk Helicopters. Sheehy served as CEO, president and board member on Bridger Aerospace—a company specializing in aerial firefighting and special missions—until he resigned in July 2024 to focus on his senate campaign.
